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Tyler Blackett admits Celtic have struggled due to the lack of a settled back four

Celtic boss Ronny Deila has been struggling to name a consistent defence this season.

Celtic have endured a fairly slow start to the season by their own standards, and Tyler Blackett has told the Daily Record that a lot of their issues have been down to the fact that Ronny Deila has been unable to name a settled back four this term.

Blackett said: “It’s difficult when we have not had a settled back four. We need time to get used to each other and how each other plays. Once we get that I’m sure the results and performances will improve.”

Deila was always going to have a tough task this season in naming a solid defence, having lost three of his first-team players over the summer.

Adam Matthews signed with Sunderland, Virgil van Dijk moved to Southampton, and Jason Denayer returned to Manchester City at the end of his loan deal.

To make up for these departures, Dedryck Boyata was signed, and Blackett came in on loan from Manchester United, and Deila is attempting to name a starting XI with a consistent defensive selection.

However, the head coach has so far been unable to do that, playing the likes of Saidy Janko at right-back, whilst Efe Ambrose, Boyata, Blackett and Jozo Simunovic have all played in the centre of defence.

Deila looks to have decided upon his best back four now, with Boyata and Blackett flanked by Mikael Lustig and Emilio Izaguirre at right-back and left-back respectively.

It appears as if there is starting to be some consistency with choices in defence, and results have improved noticeably with Deila’s similar selections.

The Bhoys have conceded just one goal in their last four Premiership games, and it finally looks as if the Scottish giants are up and running after a slow start to the season.

Billy Hawkins

Billy is a freelance writer who contributes to various sites concerning football. Known to possess an obsession with statistics, Eastern European club sides, and Victorian football, he focuses upon the untapped potential of the Football League in the belief it is more enjoyable than the Premier League.